Peter Williamson

Peter Williamson passed away on January 24th, 2024 in Victoria BC. He was 89.

Born in Lancaster, England, Peter joined the Merchant Navy in 1951 and left its service in 1953.

He emigrated to Canada in 1955, settling in London Ontario, then Toronto. He obtained his bachelor's degree at University of Western Ontario and later completed an MPhil at the University of Newcastle (UK).

“Only connect the poetry and the prose.”

Teaching at Fanshaw College, then Humber College, Peter specialised in English communications, the history of modern design and art- and architectural history. He was a born educator and touched many students’ lives with his passion and investment in education.

His retirement years were spent between the UK and Canada - Nova Scotia, Ontario and eventually British Columbia.

Peter had a lifelong love of the sea, from the Sea Cadets in his teenage years, to placements on the HMS Ruahine and HMS Rakaia. In later years he always had a boat project on the go, sailed here and there on the Great Lakes, Greece and the UK.

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

When boats weren't available, cars were a great passion. Racing cars was an early pursuit, first in 1954/55 England then later in the British Racing and Sports Car Club in Ontario. Classic car culture was a fixture of his later years too, dabbling with the British Car club in Victoria and writing material for the newsletter of Jaguars on the Island.

An avid reader for the last 86 years of his life, Peter had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. His love of reading was a great gift to his family, encouraging each young person he encountered to embrace reading as well. He spent his retirement years devouring books at a great rate, the great thinkers and writers of modern history amongst his favourites.

“Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.”

Art and architecture were also huge loves for Peter, and he travelled the great cities of Europe soaking in local buildings, painting and sculpture. He spent much of 1978 at art school in Perugia, Italy, also travelling to Florence and Rome. Peter always had a sculpture or carving project in the works, gracing many friends and family members with his wonderful carvings. Angels, mermaids and beautiful figures featured highly in his work.

“Architecture is the will of an epoch, translated into space.”

Pre-deceased by his parents Frederick and Mabel, his brothers Michael and Colin, and his wife Donna, Peter was survived by his children Alasdair and Andrea and his step-children Kevyn and Hilary, as well as many grandchildren.

“Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

Quotes from:

Adapted from Howard's End (E.M. Forster)

The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame)

Of the Conduct of the Understanding (John Locke)

On architecture (Ludwig Mies van der Rohe)

Do not go gentle into that good night (Dylan Thomas)